Overview
Mercy@Home is a family-centred care model that supports all mothers and babies, once you have had your baby and been discharged home from the postnatal ward.
If your baby is born early (premature) or small for dates, a nurse will visit you at home to ensure that your baby is progressing well.
We also support neonatal patients (newborn babies) and gynaecology patients if required.
Lactation support is also available.
Getting here
Find us at:
163 Studley Road
Heidelberg Victoria 3084
For more information on getting here, visit Mercy Hospital for Women .
Location details
Level 2
On-site signage and indicators
Look for the Mercy@Home signs on-site.
How can people get access?
No access after hours.
Staff gain access through key entry.
Opening hours
Monday–Sunday, 8am–4.30pm
(Closed on Christmas Day, 25 December)
Your appointment
What to do before
Your midwife will explain when you can expect a visit at your home, before you leave the hospital. Your midwife will also check your home address and ask for your telephone number.
You can call 03 8458 4466 and leave a message if you would to speak to one of the midwives, either before or after they visit.
What to bring
You will be phoned on the day of the visit to work out the best time for the midwife to visit you at home.
You will need your baby’s Green Book and the information that you would have been given when you left the hospital.
The midwife or visiting nurse will bring additional information from the hospital also.
What to expect on the day
While you are on the ward, you will be informed that a midwife will visit 24–48 hours after your discharge from hospital. You should receive a phone call on the day of the visit for a morning or afternoon visit.
The visit takes 45–60 minutes.
More information
Team Composition
Throughout your experience, you may be supported by:
- our team of domiciliary midwives
- a midwife known to you if you were cared for by the team midwives or Maternity Group Practice midwives.
What questions should you ask
The visit relies on medical history and varies depending on you and your baby’s needs.
We have a checklist on a program that we go through with you, but as a general rule the midwife will:
- complete a physical check on you including breasts, stitches, tummy and blood loss
- ask how you are feeling and what help or advice you may need
- weigh your baby, as well as see how well baby is feeding and settling.
We do tailor the visit to spend some time with you if you need to raise any concerns.
Write down anything that you think may be worth asking or talking about, to be sure you don’t forget to ask when the midwife or nurse visits.
Discharge information
Your midwife will explain what to expect depending on you and your baby.
Additional support
We visit you once initially, and then again if you would like or need an extra visit.
If your baby is in the Hospital in the Home program, visits will depend on the medical plan and follow-up. We see how well your baby is feeding and gaining weight before he or she is discharged from the program.
Opportunities to be involved in research
We participate in research at Mercy Health, and you have the opportunity to be involved. To find out more about our research, how it can potentially lead to better health and wellbeing outcomes for other mothers and babes, or ways you can participate, speak to a midwife throughout your experience.
Who to call if you have concerns afterwards
You will be given information when you are discharged instructing you to phone Mercy@Home if you have any concerns.
Maternal and Child Health Line nurses can provide information, support and guidance for a range of issues, including child health, nutrition, breastfeeding, maternal and family health, and parenting. Call 13 2229, 24 hours, 7 days per week.
If it is a medical emergency, you are advised to phone the emergency line on 000.
For health professionals
Domiciliary Home Care (Mercy@Home) consists of:
- a home visit for mum and baby, checking physical and emotional well being
- a baby feeding and weight check
- home visits for babies recently discharged from Special Care Nursery – weight and feeding
- Hospital in the Home visits for post-operative patient wound management.
How to prepare the patient
Your patient will be given information on discharge as to when to expect a visit from the midwife or nurse.
What/when you should refer to us
All referrals are done internally by the ward.
More information
Resources for you
Refer to the Department of Health website for details of services across Victoria and the local area.
Additional resources
Donate to the Mercy Health Foundation
The Mercy Health Foundation supports programs to improve the health and wellbeing of those in need. Your donation makes a difference in hospitals, nurseries, aged care homes, and the general community.
Providing feedback
We value feedback from the people we care for, including from your families, friends, carers, and our broader community. Find out how to register a concern, complaint or compliment, or make a suggestion for improvement at Mercy Health.
Work for Mercy Health
Midwife and nurse roles are available. Find out about life and work at Mercy Health and apply today!